~~Q~
MI ~li~~a Lee
ro~~i: Phil Orr <[email protected]>
dent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 2:58 PM
To: Mayor and Council
Subject: Comment on Item: 4E 22-225 Version: 1 Action on an Agreement Between tl~e Santa Clara Unified and the City of Santa Clara
Dear Mayor and Council:
Hindsight is 20/20. Had we the vision in 1987 that seems so clear today Santa Clara Parl<s and Recreation Department may well not have entered into an agreement with the Santa Clara Unified School District to build a City facility on District property.
Beginning in 1990, the Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center evolved into a fixture in the Santa Clara community where Kids of all ages (0-18 years) gathered for classes, after school programs, summer and winter sports camps, special events, award ceremonies, drop in open gym, and more. It was the sight of countless SCPD DARE graduations, Pass in Review ceremonies and PRL boxing tournaments, annual Santa Clara Lions Football awards, Santa Clara EII<s Hoop Shoots, Santa Clara Rotary Shoe Giveaways, 1000 middle school student Teen Zones, Kids Rock, Halloween Parties, and more.
Program participants grew up and became staff members, finding a home at the YAC while they found their way in the world. Staff members grew up and brought their Kids to the YAC as program participants, who then became staff. The 30year cycle continues to this day.
Dedicated staff, excited Kids, wholesome activities, and an "all are welcome attitude" has earned the YAC lofty status in the Santa Clara community. Thirty-two years of building community through people, parks, and programs is the YAC's legacy.
Hindsight is 20/20. Maybe if we had to do it over again, we'd have built the YAC on city owned property. It's anyone's guess. Who Knew that 35 years would pass so quickly? Who imagined that those of us who were there at the beginning would be here to see the YAC's legacy come to an end? Nevertheless, adopiing the proposed agreement will allow Santa Clara Parl<s and Recreation Department to continue offering high quality programs to the youth in our community at the Teen Center and SI<ate Parl<. I urge adoption of the proposed agreement.
Sincerely,
Phil Orr
Santa Clara Parl< and Recreation Department
Resident, District 5
POST MEETING MATERIAL
r~l~lissa Lee
f=ro~~i: Phil Orr <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 2:58 PM
To: Mayor and Council
Subject: Comment on Item: 4E 22-225 Version: 7 Action on an Agreement Between the Santa Clara Unified and the City of Santa Clara
Dear Mayor and Council:
Hindsight is 20/20. Had we the vision in 1987 that seems so clear today Santa Clara Parl<s and Recreation Department may well not have entered into an agreement with the Santa Clara Unified School District to build a City facility on District property.
Beginning in 1990, the Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center evolved into a fixture in the Santa Clara community where kids of all ages (0-18 years) gathered for classes, after school programs, summer and winter sports camps, special events, award ceremonies, drop in open gym, and more. It was the sight of countless SCPD DARE graduations, Pass in Review ceremonies and PAL boxing tournaments, annual Santa Clara Lions Football awards, Santa Clara EII<s Hoop Shoots, Santa Clara Rotary Shoe Giveaways, 1000 middle school student Teen Zones, Kids Rocl<, Halloween Parties, and more.
Program participants grew up and became staff members, finding a home at the YAC while they found their way in the world. Staff members grew up and brought their Kids to the YAC as program participants, who then became staff. The 30year cycle continues to this day.
Dedicated staff, excited Kids, wholesome activities, and an "all are welcome attitude" has earned the YAC lofty status in the Santa Clara community. Thirty-two years of building community through people, parks, and programs is the YAC's legacy.
Hindsight is 20/20. Maybe if we had to do it over again, we'd have built the YAC on city owned property. It's anyone's guess. Who Knew that 35 years would pass so quickly? Who imagined that those of us who were there at the beginning would be here to see the YAC's legacy come to an end? Nevertheless, adopting the proposed agreement will allow Santa Clara Parl<s and Recreation Department to continue offering high quality programs to the youth in our community at the Teen Center and Skate Park. I urge adoption of the proposed agreement.
Sincerely,
Phil Orr
Santa Clara Park and Recreation Department
Resident, District 5
POST MEETING MATERIAL
~i ~~~~~~Melissa Lee
From: Carolyn McDowell <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 7:52 PM
To: Mayor and Council
Subject: 4/19/22 Agenda item 4. E, RTC 22-225
In early 1991, I participated in a construction walk through of the Youth Activity Center with Earl Carmichael, Larry Wolfe and Ricl< Hutchinson. It was my first glance of their vision for a premier youth sports facility which would open that summer.
Stephanie Dungan, Kristin Armbruster and myself were hired to open the facility and coordinate the initial programming for the youth in our community. In the early years, unique classes, youth sports leagues, summer camps, after school programming, open gym, and special events were developed through hard work of recreation leaders, independent contractors and community partners.
Over the years, the community benefits have reached so many individuals and families, none of which is measured through enrollment or revenue, like:
-Single mom who would sign her two young boys up for Parents Night Out as her once a month chance to get caught up on laundry and read quietly by herself
- A safe place after school for so many Kids who would be latchkey Kids otherwise - A place for the Youth Commission to start in 1995, and grow over the years The volunteer hours students have contributed to serve their peers and meet graduation requirements The work ethic and leadership skills gained by staff members in their first job In 1996, Gayle Ichiho (Swish) took over the reigns at the YAC as the Sports Coordinator and never looked back. Swish, Oba, Gohan and their amazing team have taken the center to new heights. They are the most welcoming, creative, innovative and thoughtful role models in the profession. Their programming is well-respected and well-attended, and they have created a fun family atmosphere that has Kids, volunteers, interns and staff coming back year after year with their silly camp names, cool costumes, amazing decorations, over the top potlucks and staff trips male the YAC more than just a job.
Lil<e many of the staff, our daughter (Waffles) started as a camper at age 5, served as a volunteer for three summers and COVID disrupted her ability to start working at the center in 2020. The YAC is her happy place, where she can get help with homework, be an athlete, spend time with friends, and be a role model to younger YACsters. It is an extension of our family!
NEVER in a million years did Earl, Larry or Ricl< imagine this day would come! But, they would be pleased to Know their vision for a model youth sports center is continuing as a result of the long-term partnership with school district administrators and the staff at Cabrillo Middle School.
Please support this Agreement, and continue to put provisions in place for the care and feeding of our existing parks, pools, playgrounds and athletic facilities as well as new amenities for our growing community.
Sincerely,
Carolyn, Dennis &Amanda McDowell
- 52 year residents, career City employees and community volunteers Sent from my iPhone
POST MEETING MATERIAL